Coin actuated switch



Sept. 3, -1940. M. A. HALL 2,213,651

COIN ACTUATED SWITCH Filed sept. e, 195s -ulllllllllllllulll INVENTOR.

BY /M 27%@ Patented Sept. 3, 1941i COIN ACTUATED SWITCH Mitchell A. Hall, Fort Thomas, Ky., assignor to -Monarch Tool & Mfg. Company, Cincinnati,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 6, 1938, Serial No. 228,520

1 claim.

This invention relates to coin actuated switches for electrically operated apparatus such as automatic games, phonographs, vending machines, and the like. ASuch-apparatus is equipped with a coin receiving chute into which the patron inserts a coin to initiate the operation. The chute is provided with a pilot switch which is tripped by the coin momentarily to close an electric circuit controlling the operation of the apparatus.

1 After the control circuit has been energized by the coin, the operation of the apparatus is automatic and continues for a definite cycle at the end of which the circuits are automatically deenergized and the operation ceases.

The conventional coin chutes which have been employed in the past include protective devices which are effective to. restrict the passage of coins other than those of proper denomination. These chutes include a magnetic deector to m guide magnetically responsive slugs clear of the pilot switch. The switches are positioned relative to the discharge end of the chutes, and are adapted to be closed by the coins as they drop by gravity from the ends thereof. The switches, 35 themselves, are actuated by a lever which Anori mally is in balanced repose. actuable only by the impact of coins of vpredetermined weight upon them. Therefore, should an iron slug be inserted ina coin chute, it will be 30 deflected clear of the chute before the switch operating lever is reached, while a lighter, unauthorizedccin or slug, even though it'be the same `in size as a proper coin, is not heavy enough to trip the switch to circuit closing 35 position.-l

The switches, of course, are small in size and naturally are of delicate construction in order to provide the necessary sensitivity. The operation of the switch ls positive when the proper 40 coin is used. However, the switches may be intentionally tripped by theV player by jolting or tilting the machine, for .the purpose of closing the circuit without inserting a coin in the chute.

It has been one objective ot the present in- 4l ventor to provide a switch structure responsive only upon the deposit of a proper coin in the receiving chute, which is effective to defeat improper operation o! the machine, whether the machine be jarred, tilted, shaken, or vibrated 50 .either intentionally or otherwise.

Another objective hasbeen to provide a. switch equipped'with a. protective holding device, which prevents `actuation of the switch by jarring, but which does Anot interfere `with the normal sensi- 55 uvas or the man. Moreover, aY nu been a These levers areY (Cl. 19d-9) further object to provide a sensitive switch which is more reliable and durable than those employed in the past. In this respect, the invention con-1 templates an improvement to facilitate the prompt response of the machine when a proper coin is inserted. In other words, therefore, the objective has been to prevent fraudulent operation of the machine when no coin is inserted, or to insure positive and prompt operation of the machine when a proper coin is applied to it.

Briey, the. present invention is predicated upon the employment of a switch in which a pair of movable contacts are employed for serial circuit closure. Magnetic means are provided for holding the contacts in open position against forces other than that imposed by a coin of sufficient weight delivered from the chute for serial closure of the contacts.

An embodiment of the holding device referred to may consist of a small permanent magnet positioned adjacent to the contact arms of the switch. The switch contact arms are of iron or steel and act as an armature or keeper for the magnet. In normal switch open position, the contact arms are magneticaly held in open position, and the switch, therefore, is not operable by jolts or jars. The contact arms of the switch are provided with an extended lever, at the outer end of which is fixed a coin-receiving tongue or plate. This tongue is disposed just below thev discharge end of the coin chute, so that coins roll onto the plate and thus trip the switch. The weight of the descending coin upon the plate is sunicient to break the magnetic holding force exerted upon the switch arms.

The stationary contacts of the switch are located a considerable distance above the movable contacts, so that a very definite degree of movement is required before the contacts actually close when the switch lever is tripped. 'Ihe active field of the permanent magnet extends only a fraction of the total distance of the switch closing throw, preferably not more than one quarter of the total. i

The switch lever may include some return means, such as a balance spring tending to return the lever to switch open position, and includes adjustment means for causing the switch to close when a predetermined pressure is applied thereto. initially broken, there is no interference with the normal sensitivity of the switch. For this reason, the initial tripping movement of the switch will be accomplished regardless of the After the magnetic holding force has been weight or the com, while actual switch closing movement is governed by the spring in the normal manner. The holding device performs a function distinct from that of the spring.

The present improvement has made it possible to use a shorter throw for the switch by dividing the total gap between two sets of contacts. This is accomplished by the use of a pair of contacts arranged in series in a control line providing a. double break and thereby splitting the gap into two parts. Thus the aggregate gap is sufiicient to prevent arcing but the throw of the switch is greatly reduced. Additionally, this makes it possible to make the switch more compact.

Referring to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a general view of the top portion of a vending machine illustrating the coin chute and switch installed thereon.

,Figure 2 is an enlarged front view'of a coin chute with the improved switch mounted in operating relationship with the discharge end of the chute.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear view of a portion of the coin chute illustrating the mounting of the switch.

Figure 5 is a side view of the switch with one of the casing sections removed to illustrate the relationship between the magnet and the switch arms.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the intermediate plate removed, showing the trip lever in depressed position and the switch contacts in circuit closing engagement.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on line. 1-1, Figure 5, further detailing the switch'structure.

The present improvements are primarily directed to the pilot switch. For this reason, the

. mechanisms and circuits controlled by the switch have been omitted and the disclosure confined to the switch and the coin chute with which it operates. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, the coin chute and switch assembly, indicated generally at I, are shown installed in the upper portion of a conventional coin-actuated vending device 2.

The coin-receiving chute terminates at the top in a projecting guide 3 having flanges 4 to form an open coin guideway leading into the chute. The coin is placed in this guide and permitted to drop into a slot at the top of the coin chute. The coin chute is fabricated of two plates 5 and 5 held in spaced relationship upon a pair of spacers 1 and 3. These spacers are configurated to define a curved passageway 3, which serves to check the descent of the coins as they descend through the chute.

The lower edge of the back plate 6 of the coin chute is bent outwardly and upwardly to form a channel III, defined by a vertical flange II anda bottom or web I2. This channel I3 is disposed at an' angle to the horizontal to cause the coins to roll toward the switch as they drop from the open lower end 'of the arcuate way 3. For this purpose the channel inclines downwardly from the passageway 3 and terminates just above the trip lever I3 of the switch I4. Because of the curvature o1' the passageway, the coins are guided toward the upper end of the channel and therefore slow down considerably before rolling to the discharge end of the channel. This arrangement iron slugs from the coinl chute, the side plate 5 adjacent to the channel IIJ is flared laterally at an angle in the area opposite the channel, as at I5, (Figure 3). The lower edge of the flared plate is spaced away from the vertical flange I I a sulficient distance to permit the passage therebetween of slugs which are attracted to the flared side plate by a permanent horseshoe magnet I6. This magnet is secured to the outer side of the plate 5 by means of a vscrew I1 and a washer I8. When a magnetically attractive slug passes through the chute, it is deflected laterally by the magnet as it leaves the lower end of the passageway and follows the defiector plate, thus clearing the channel and dropping from the lower edge of the flared deflector plate. In this manner unauthorized slugs are prevented from entering the channel and actuating the switch.

The switch I4 is mounted at the lower lefthand side of the coin chute upon a bracket plate I9 secured to the chute by screws I 9a (Figure 4). The switch constitutes a rectangular body or housing 20 of dielectric material or insulation, such as hard rubber or the like, secured to the bracket plate by means of screws 2|. A rock shaft 22 is pivoted in the opposite side walls of the housing. Upon one end of this rock shaft is secured the trip lever I3, which projects horizontally and includes at the outer end a Contact tongue 23 disposed just below the discharge end of the coin chute. This trip lever normally is poised in a horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 2, in which position the switch contacts are open.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the trip lever is formed of light gauge wire and coniigurated to include an upwardly projected finger 24. An adjustable tension spring 25 (Figure 4) is connected to this finger. The portion of the trip lever at the juncture of the finger 24 encircles the rock shaft and is secured thereto between a pair of nuts 26 (Figure 3) screwed on the outer end of the rock shaft. The spring 25 serves to return the trip lever I3 to normal position after it has been tripped to circuit closing position by the passage of a coin.

For the purpose of causing the switch to trip to circuit closing position upon predetermined contact pressure, an adjustment device is provided for governing tension of the spring 25. The `adjustment device comprises a screw 21 loosely traversing a sleeve 28 formed at the lower edge of the bracket plate. A notch 29 is formed in the lower edge of the bracket plate at the inner end of the sleeve. An adjustment nut 3U is screwthreaded upon the screw 21 and confines the,

screw against longitudinal movement. Rotation of this nut moves the screw longitudinally. The head of this screw includes an upwardly extended nger 3I, upon which th opposite end of the spring is engaged. This finger not only provides an anchorage for the spring, but serves also to prevent rotation of the screw, since thenger lies adjacent to the wall surface of the coin chute.

In this manner the spring may be adjusted to the proper tension to provide for actuation of the lever upon a predetermined pressure of contact, the trip lever acting in the capacity of a scale to weigh the coin. Ii' the weight is insufficient, the lever will not be tripped a sufficient distance to close the switch contacts. A

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing, it

' will be observed that conductor arms 32 are provided and are adapted to carry the switch contacts 33. These contacts 33 are in contact with a vpermanent horseshoe magnet 34 of small size 'located within the switch housing. The switch arms are in one piece, being the arms of a U- shaped piece, and constitute an amature for the magnet, each arm being in magnetic relationship with one pole ofthe magnet. The arms in one position serve to restrain closing movement of the switch by contact with the magnet and in the other as the bridge for the spaced contacts of the switch. The switch arm unit is formed of iron or steel or of a magnetic alloy and cooperates with a pair of corresponding contacts 34 located within the switch housing above the magnet and within the arc of switch arm swing.

The contacts 34 each are mounted upon a thin fiat spring 35, each being in electrical contact with a respective control wire 36, which wires operate the vending apparatus. When the trip lever is actuated, the rock shaft is rotated to swing the contacts 33 upwardly into contact with the stationary contacts 34. The control current then flows between the contacts 34, through the switch arm unit, to energize the control circuit. The movable contacts 33 of the U-shaped switch arm are mounted on the angular portions of the respective arms facing outwardly. 'I'he contacting faces of these contact elements are slightly convex to provide a wiping action as the contacts engage. It will be evident that the circuit will-be incomplete unless both sets of contacts are engaged; therefore it is necessary that the coin be of sufficient weight to impart complete switch closing movement to the arms before the apparatus is operated. 'I'he closing of the switch contacts occurs momentarily and the lever is immediately thereafter returned to open position by the action of the tension spring.

'I'he switch housing is fabricated of two casing sections, inorder to facilitate assembly of the parts. ,These sections, indicated at 31 and 33, are separated by a plate or wall 39 (Figures 3 and 4). The switch arm unit is secured to the rock shaft. The shaft for this purpose has a hub 43 centrally thereof formed of hard rubber or other insulating material. The connecting portion of the U-shaped arm unit is embedded in this hub and, in this manner, insulated from the shaft. Ihe switch-holding magnet 34 is clamped between the two sections of the housing in position for magnetically holding the arms in switch open position. The two sections of the housing areheldinassemblybymeansofthelcrews and nuts 2l, which draw the sections together and thus firmly clamp the magnet in place.

By holding the switch arms in switch open position magnetically, as above disclosed, it will be evident that the switch can be swung to circuit closing position only by inserting a coin of suilicient weight in the slot. Although it might be possible to prevent unauthorized actuation of the switch by increasing the tension of the return spring, this would not be feasible, as it naturally would destroy the sensitivity of the switch and render it unfit for the delicate function which it performs. Therefore, by providing the switch with a separate holding means, the adjustable tension spring may be used for the express and sole service of controlling the action of the trip lever within a delicate range, i. e. so that coins of certain weight will close the switch. The

switch may be adjusted exactly as desired without regard to the possibility that the switch might be jarred or jostled into circuit closing position, s ince a separate` means provides the holding force.

It will be noted that the switch arms swing in a relatively long arc of travel. The holding force of the magnet is, of course, effective for only a short distance, and when the gap between the magnet and the switch armexceeds this distance, the magnetic attraction 'becomes ineffective. Therefore after the hold is initially broken by the Weight of a coin, the spring then comes into play to govern the swing of the trip lever, independently of the magnet. It will be understood that other means for balancing the trip lever can be substituted for the spring.

Having described my invention, I claim:

In a coin operated switch mechanism, a coin actuated trip lever, a rock shaft carrying said trip lever, movable contacts actuated by said rock shaft, an electrical circuit including stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by said movable contacts. a coin delivery guide including a portion having very little incline from the horizontal for rolling the coin onto the trip lever. balance means on said trip lever for determining the force necessary to trip the same, a magnet in said switch and, a keeper secured on said rock shaft, said keeper being normally in contact with the magnet to hold said rock shaft stationary and adapted to swing clear of the magnet upon engagement of a coin with the trip lever.

MITCHELL A. HALL. 

